Africa South of the Sahara
Ghana
A is for Accra
By Ekow Pierre, Nana Pierre (Translator)
A is for Accra. Ekow Pierre. Illustrated by Nana Pierre. Spiderwize and Book Printing UK, 2017. ISBN 9781911596257. 40 p. (Ages 3-5). Picture book.
A is for Accra is a beautifully illustrated book, featuring a rhyming alphabetical journey around Ghana. Younger readers can learn their ABCs, while older readers can learn about Ghana and its cultures and customs. Parents can share additional information with their kids about the places, people, and foods from the glossary in the back. [gd]
South Africa
Here Comes Lolo
By Niki Daly
Here Comes Lolo. Niki Daly. Catalyst Press, 2020. Originally published by Otter-Barry Books, in Great Britain, in 2019. ISBN 9781946395337. 78 p. (Ages 4-9). Fiction.
Lolo is a little girl living with her mother and grandmother in South Africa. The first in a series of three books, Here Comes Lolo is composed of three stories that recount her hilarious adventures in getting a gold star at school, finding a missing ring, and rescuing a dog. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection and nominated for the Beverly Cleary Children’s Choice Award. In this video Author Niki Daly Reads a story from Here Comes Lolo. Also check out Here Comes Lolo Teaching Guides from Catalyst Press. [gd]
India
Nava Durga: The Nine Forms of the Goddess
By Nalini Ramachandran, Priyanka Pachpande (Illustrator)
Nava Durga: The Nine Forms of the Goddess. Nalini Ramachandran. Illustrated by Priyanka Pachpande. Puffin Books, 2021. First published by Puffin Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, Gurgram, Haryana, India, in 2020. ISBN 97801434449485. 96 p. Ages (6-9). Nonfiction.
This book tells the tale of India’s nine-day festival, Navaratri, and the nine different forms of Goddess Durga that accompany each day. With vibrant illustrations this book is perfect for readers interested in Indian mythology. Would pair with Greek Myths and Mazes by Jan Bajtlik. The author has written many books for young readers on various topics and styles. She is based in India and edits children's books and holds workshops on creative writing and storytelling. Here is a short video about the book. [mi]